A second phase of restrictions aimed at reducing parking problems and traffic congestion in Durham, is to be introduced in the New Year.

Durham County Council hopes to introduce new controls in Claypath, Gilesgate, Framwellgate Waterside, The Sands, and Ferens Park in the middle of January.

A consultation exercise shows that the majority of residents and businesses who will be affected by the scheme, welcome its introduction.

In some roads, the support from residents and businesses is 100 per cent of those who responded to a council ballot - although in many areas the response rate was low. In other roads, the rate of objection was as high as 50 per cent.

The restrictions will include resident-only and business parking areas - they must have a permit - and pay and display areas where both residents and visitors can park.

The controls were introduced to discourage shoppers and commuters parking all day in side streets instead of using car parks in the city centre.

The council hopes to ease the congestion in and around the city centre and also encourage more commuters, shoppers and visitors to use public transport.

The first phase of restrictions was introduced in the Elvet and Whinney Hill areas of the city in July. The third phase, covering an area around North Road, could be implemented later next year.

A council spokesman said: "We have had the feedback from the consultation and the exhibition we held on the proposals and now we are past that stage we are able to go out and seek the necessary legal orders to implement the scheme."